TOP CRUISE TIPS FROM ROYAL CARIBBEAN EXPERTS
September 20, 2021
Update: Royal Caribbean is committed to delivering vacations that are as safe as they are memorable. We are thrilled to welcome our guests to experience the memorable vacations we are known for once again, starting summer 2021. As you plan your next trip with your loved ones, we’ll be here with inspiration in all forms whenever you need it.
CREDIT: ROYAL CARIBBEAN
There is practically an endless list of reasons that make a Royal Caribbean cruise a great vacation choice for all ages and types of travelers. With many incredible experiences and amenities to choose from, including a variety of ships and destinations, there is plenty to consider.
Now, where do you start? We’ve tapped the experts who know Royal Caribbean best, from crew members and captains to the heads of entertainment and dining. Made up of more than 50,000 employees hailing from nearly every corner of the world, our team has sailed on every ship and visited hundreds of destinations—and they have the insider tips to match about dining, entertainment, destinations and activities.
Here are the top tips for a Royal Caribbean cruise vacation from the experts themselves:
CREDIT: ROYAL CARIBBEAN
Show-stopping Entertainment
For the inside scoop on all things entertainment, we tapped Sydney Brown, previously a Royal Caribbean acrobat, and head of entertainment Nick Weir. They shared how you can maximize the fun on board, and we’ve highlighted their most popular tips.
Q: Any insider tips on how to make the most of the entertainment lineup and the time you have on board?
Nick: Having the Royal Caribbean mobile app handy certainly helps because it puts the daily activities right in your pocket. You can easily plan out your days, and that’s always something I recommend our guests do in the morning. Whether you’re new to cruising or a veteran, there’s just so much cool stuff going on—you don’t want to miss a single thing.
I also have to mention our new matinee performances. You can watch some shows during the day to then have more flexibility at night to catch other productions, see our late-night comedians or watch your home team at Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade.
Read more from our Q&A with Nick here.
Q: What should any theatergoing guest do when attending an AquaTheater show [an Oasis Class exclusive] only found on Royal Caribbean?
Sydney: Sit in the center and about four to seven rows back, and get there approximately 20 to 25 minutes before the show to get a good seat. We also really feed off the audience, so we love when you are loud!
There’s more from Sydney here.
CREDIT: ROYAL CARIBBEAN
Mouthwatering Bites
We turned to experts Linken D’Souza, head of food and beverage, and Captain Sindre for their tips about the world of flavors on board. Here are their top recommendations, and there are more where those came from.
Q: Do you have any insider tips for making the most of your dining experience on a cruise?
Linken: It’s a marathon, not a sprint! Folks want to experience it all on Day One, but there is plenty of time to make sure you get to taste everything because we have a wide variety for every palate. One thing I would recommend for the first day though: Pick out a specialty restaurant before you get on board, and make reservations to go there for lunch. You’ll get to experience most of the menu for a special price.
Pro tip: Check out other insider tips for dining on a cruise.
Find out more from Linken here.
Q: What are the top things guests can’t miss when they sail aboard Odyssey?
Captain Sindre: While the curry on board is my favorite dish, the specialty restaurants really are something else. I had the pleasure of trying our new Italian trattoria, Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar. It was spectacular, and I highly recommend it.
Read more from Captain Sindre here.
CREDIT: ROYAL CARIBBEAN
Top-rated Destinations
From Alaska to the Caribbean and beyond, Royal Caribbean cruises can take you to more than 270 stunning destinations. First Officer Lovisa Forssberg and Chief Officer of Safety Heather Beasley chime in on their favorite places.
Q: What part of your job do you love the most?
First Officer Lovisa: After several years at sea, I’m still amazed by the idea that you can travel to so many places by ship (Ketchikan, Alaska; Singapore and Sydney, Australia are three of my favorites). You can go to sleep in one country and wake up in another—and in my case, I get to drive us there. I’m waiting for all of it to feel mundane, but after almost 10 years, I’m still amazed by every sunset.
You can learn more from 1st Officer Lovisa here.
Q: Where are your three favorite destinations in the world to sail to and from?
Chief Officer Heather: That is such a tough one since I have sailed to many amazing places. If I had to pick, I’d say: Venice, Italy – a historic and beautiful city that’s hard not to love; Santorini, Greece, which has incredible views straight from a Mediterranean postcard; and Cozumel, Mexico, for its incredible food, snorkeling and shopping. I even like to go to Cozumel on my time off.
There’s more from Chief Officer of Safety Heather here.
CREDIT: ROYAL CARIBBEAN
Adventure-packed Activities
Wondering how to best spend your days on board? Nick Weir and crew ambassador Stephen Burke have more than a few ideas for you, whether it’s on Ovation of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas or any other ship.
Q: What are some of your favorite experiences on board [Ovation of the Seas]?
Stephen: RipCord by iFly stands out because nowhere else can you sky dive at sea—especially with a view like this! As a performer myself, I also love to watch the live entertainment going on around the ship. We have incredibly talented performers and entertainers from across the globe.
Pro tip: All the entertainment on board is complimentary!
Find out more from Stephen here.
Q: What are the best experiences for kids and families on a ship like Odyssey?
Nick: Our dedicated kids program, Adventure Ocean, has fantastic, interactive activities brought to life by our experienced staff. Kids can let their imaginations run the show and chart their own adventures. And teens have exclusive hangout areas too. They have everything from the latest music, games and movies to their own outdoor deck.
Then there’s our lineup of sports, from rock climbing to ice skating, to surfing on the FlowRider surf simulator and sky diving. Plus, there’s fun in the form of high-speed waterslides, aqua parks and the new Virtual Adventure Zone, the first fully immersive 4D VR experience at sea.
Read more from this interview with Nick here.
Originally posted by Royal Caribbean SeaViews on September 3, 2021